As the weather is cooling it is time to prepare for the change to Winter uniforms. This will take place on Tuesday 9th June. This is the week starting after the June long weekend.

If you are unsure of items required for Winter, please visit our website where you can find information in our Parent Handbook or the St Agnes’ Uniform Store website via this link https://stagnesparish.org.au/st-agnes-uniform-store/ . The St Agnes' Uniform store has reopened with the revised hours of operation from 1:00pm - 5:00pm, Monday to Friday. Online ordering has also resumed with click and collect and delivery available.

'The Sunshine Cafe'

Our Canteen operates five days a week providing lunches, drinks and snacks. We follow a very high standard of hygiene and provide a variety of healthy foods. Our prices are kept at a reasonable level as a service to the students, but we do not compromise on quality. The Canteen operates each day at 11:00am for lunch with our menu being updated regularly throughout the year.

On behalf of the staff and students we would like to issue a special invitation to parents and family members to become a volunteer at the Canteen. Our Canteen Coordinator organises the food, the roster, and will be at the Canteen every morning to greet and help you. You will enjoy your time spent with us, your child will love to see you and the rest of us will really appreciate it also! Contact the school office if you would like to help.

There is an online Canteen ordering facility which can be accessed through the link below as well as through our school app (the link connects to the Flexischools website).

HI EVERYONE

I think our whole community will have earned a big break this weekend after another week of blended learning, trying to keep up with ever changing conditions in our current way of living and all of the things in between! Thank you again for messages of support and checking in so that we can continue to unite as a community, navigating the week together.

I have chosen to keep with my video message format this week, but will summarise the main points here as well in case you want to see it too as well as added information. Please continue to read all communication that comes out, as there have and will continue to be changes as we know more about forward planning.

Thank you for your incredible support and messages of encouragement.

Your feedback told us that the Week 2 learning plan format and content were much better for blended learning. Still do only what you can and don’t feel pressure beyond that.

Week 3:

Week 3 Blended Learning Plans will come to you on Monday 11th May.

Increased numbers of students will be on site as students attend on their Grade allocated days. This will reduce at times the amount of online support possible with more face to face teaching.

Essential workers’ children will be supervised by rostered teachers during the week.

Children at school on their Grade allocated transition days will have their own teacher and classmates.

If you are concerned and don’t want to send your child in, you are not penalised for attendance. Continue to learn from home with our support where possible and complete attendance messaging as normal.

Wear usual school uniform for the day of attendance - Monday to Wednesday Summer school uniform, Thursday and Friday Sport uniform (if you forget, it’s ok).

Bring a drink bottle - no bubblers to be shared.

Bring lunch however the canteen is open for orders, snacks and drinks.

Hygiene practices remain (handwashing; limiting physical contact and face touching; coughing and sneezing into elbows; going home if any symptoms of illness).

Adult social distancing still to be followed by staff and parents/carers - no parents/carers in the school grounds except office attendance. Staggered lunch breaks for staff and students.

Drop off only via bus gate in mornings, no walking to classrooms. Adhere to parking zones as usual.

Pick up Kinder to Year 2 - outside the gate near the canteen - social distancing in the car park area while waiting for teachers to assist children to parents/carers. Older siblings from Year 3 to 6 will be with them for a single pickup for parents.

Pick up Year 3 to 6 - outside the gate at the far end of Warlters Street (near the Year 5 classrooms) - social distancing while waiting for teachers to assist children to parents/carers.

Buses as usual via bus gate for all Grades - no parents/carers to congregate where buses collect.

Police visited during the week to remind parents to social distance outside gates - not at the request of the school. Fines can be issued if they return.

Children must remain at home if they show signs of cold or flu symptoms. If they present unwell at school they will be sent home.

Planning ahead:

Plans are underway for further transitions to full school attendance, projecting that students will be back at school more quickly than previously expected. More information to be announced in the coming weeks as we receive it. Planning ahead will be dependent on updates from Government and Health authorities and as changes occur they will be communicated with families.

Winter uniforms are not required to be worn before the long weekend in June.

Mother’s Day:

We would like to wish all of our wonderful Mothers, Carers, Grandmothers and all other female role models for our community a happy and safe day on Sunday. We pray that you know how much you are appreciated and that you continue to be at the heart of your families, supported by those around you.

As we miss you here for our usual celebrations at this time of year, there is a special surprise for you. Our own elves in residence (Educational Assistants and helpers as well as some children) have prepared a special card for each family to share with their Mum or other special carer. The children who are at school today will have it in their bag, all other families at home will have a special delivery between today and Sunday from a member of staff. It will be in a plastic sleeve for protection, but please check your mailbox or front area. If for some reason we miss anyone, please contact the school on Monday.

One of our beautiful leaders, Savannah Beard, has prepared a wonderful video for you all with some help from other members of our school community. Please enjoy her amazing talent and the generosity of other students in being part of this.

Awesome News!!

The hint in my video message relates to an announcement we have been waiting for …. I am so very pleased to let you know that our Year 3 to 6 toilet block refurbishment is complete! The fences have come down but there are a few minor internal adjustments before we allow students to start using them, hopefully next week.

Below you will find a video announcement, where we had a little fun bringing to you our excitement on this news!

WELCOME TO OUR COMMUNITY

Congratulations to Elsie Steadman (1B) who is a very proud big sister of her new little brother, Connor, who was born on 22 March. What a lovely addition to the Steadman family.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for all your support, patience and encouragement as you have embarked on the new career pathway of ‘teachers at home’. We know this may have been challenging at times but we also know you are doing the absolute best for your children at home. We are looking forward to seeing students return in small groups next week.

I would also like to thank our dedicated staff for all they have been doing to support the learning of students during this blended learning environment. Many staff have had to think completely differently from going from teaching face to face to only on a screen as has been a huge learning curve for us all.

As we continue in this environment for a little bit longer I thought I would share a site I use with students at school which may assist at home as well.

Youcubed is a site used by many teachers for research articles on the learning of Mathematics and resources for classroom teaching and learning, especially through the early years of school. Led by Stanford University Maths Professor Dr Jo Boaler, Youcubed also includes advice for parents to help young children develop their mathematical thinking, skills and knowledge. There is a summary of some key tips which may be helpful to families during this time of learning at home, specifically for maths, but in some cases transferable to learning in other curriculum areas as well:

Encourage children to play Mathematics puzzles and games. Anything with a dice really, will help children enjoy maths, and develop number sense, which is critically important.

Encourage number sense. What separates high and low achievers in Mathematics is number sense – having an idea of the size of numbers and being able to separate and combine numbers flexibly. For example, when working out 29 + 56, if you take one from the 56 and make it 30 + 55, it is much easier to work out. The flexibility to work with numbers is extremely important.

Always be encouraging and never tell children they are wrong when they are working on maths problems. Instead, find the logic in their thinking – there is always some logic to what they say. For example, if your child multiplies 3 by 4 and gets 7, say – Oh I see what you are thinking, you are using what you know about addition to add 3 and 4, when we multiply we have 4 groups of 3…

Never associate maths with speed. It is not important to work quickly, and we now know that forcing children to work quickly on maths is the best way to start maths anxiety for many of them.

Perhaps most important of all – encourage a “growth mindset.” Let students know that they have unlimited maths potential and that being good at maths is all about working hard. When children have a growth mindset, they do well with challenges and do better in school overall. When children have a fixed mindset and they encounter difficult work, they often conclude that they are not “a maths person”.

UNIFORM STORE RE-OPENED

The St Agnes' Unfiorm store will resume trade from Monday 11th May. The store will reopen with the revised hours of operation from 1pm-5pm, Monday to Friday. Online ordering has also resumed with click and collect and delivery available.

2021 KINDERGARTEN ENROLMENTS

Thank you to everyone who have completed their online enrolments through the link we previously distributed.

As part of our Kindergarten enrolment program, we would normally arrange an Information Night to help families understand the benefits of enrolling their child in Kindergarten at a St Agnes’ Catholic Parish primary school. At this Information Night we would highlight our unique educational approach, which is built on strong foundations, supporting children to grow and learn at Kindergarten and throughout the rest of their school education.

As our Kindergarten 2021 Information Night was cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions, we developed a video that includes information from our primary school principals, outlining our holistic approach to learning, pastoral care and partnerships with families and the community. Additionally, there is really useful information regarding school readiness presented by Christy Ismay from the Catholic Schools Office. You can view the full video below.

Please note, enrolment applications must be completed and submitted by Monday18th May 2020.

We hope that the COVID-19 environment will soon see a staged return to normal where our school communities will be able to meet you in person.

YEAR 7 2021 ENROLMENT

Enrolment has commenced for our Year 7 2021 cohort.

Due to the cancellation of the usual Open Nights for Year 6 students, we will plan to have an opportunity for families to visit the schools and tour facilities later in the year.

We are currently planning to commence the enrolment interviews, possibly via ZOOM, and will communicate the plan as it unfolds depending on social distancing restrictions. We hope to commence interviews in mid to late May and will continue into Term 3. Parents will be contacted by the College offices.

We encourage all parents of Year 6 students wishing to attend the Colleges in 2021 to return the enrolment packs to the respective College offices as soon as possible. If you have friends or families with students in Year 6 please encourage them to return the packs. Places will fill quickly so it is important packs are returned as soon as possible.

St Agnes' Parish Education Team

CATHOLIC CARE OF THE AGED CURRENTLY

TAKING NEW ADMISSIONS

The situation that is facing us regarding Corona-virus (COVID-19) is a constantly changing one.

Catholic Care of the Aged services including Residential Care, Respite Care, Home Care and Independent Villages remain operational in our community. It is our intention and our aim to be able to continue taking new admissions, to welcome and support individuals and their families at their time of need.

Our priority remains the health, safety and wellbeing of our residents, clients, team members and communities. To minimise contact and maintain the guidelines specified by the Australian Government, we have introduced several changes to the way our services are delivered.

If you or someone you know is considering Residential Care, Respite Care or Home Care we are currently taking new admissions and would welcome the opportunity to answer any questions you may have. Simply contact our Client Relationship Team on 5525 3600, or emailenquiries.cca@stagnesparish.org.au

BAPTISM FOR CHILDREN

ST JOSEPH'S PRIMARY SCHOOL OLYMPICS!

As we are not having our Olympics this year, Zoe Little (6H), one of our amazing Sport House Captains, is inviting our students to participate in the St Joseph’s Olympics. Well done Zoe for your great initiative and leadership!

1. Watch Zoe’s Video - https://youtu.be/lix5muP3s3o and choose any of the Olympic activities that you would like to compete in.2. Practice over the coming weeks and record your best attempt.3. Send your video to Ms Hatherly via email at laura.hatherly@lism.catholic.edu.au4. Enter by Friday 22nd May.5. Winners will be announced Friday 29th May.

Good Luck!From Zoe and our Sport House Captains

ATHLETICS CARNIVAL

Our School Athletics Carnival is planned for Thursday 25th June (Week 9). We are hopeful the carnival will run, but we will keep you posted if we need to change the date and/or alter how the carnival will be organised. At this stage we need to have completed the event by the end of this Term to ensure we are ready for the schedulded Zone Athletics Carnival in Term 3.

TIME TO SHINE

The health, safety and wellbeing of our communities and our people remains our highest priority. Due to the ongoing uncertainty surrounding coronavirus, the School Banking program will remain on hold. We will continue to monitor the situation and keep you informed with any updates including how we will be managing Dollarmite tokens for students.

In the meantime, here are some handy online resources for parents who wish to maintain momentum with their child’s financial education:

Busways would like to advise that all school and route services to your school are still operating.

Busways is continuing to work with Transport for NSW to ensure vital services keep running for all our customers during COVID-19. The health and safety of our drivers and our passengers is our top priority and as such, we encourage you to remind students to maintain hygiene practices, remain cautious of the virus and follow social distancing guidelines when they’re on the bus (where possible). Students should always maintain social distance from the bus driver.

It’s important that we all continue to exercise every Government outlined requirement to ensure we get through this together. Busways has continued to:

Maintain extra cleaning on buses, with every bus receiving a disinfectant treatment every day, including all regularly touched areas such as handrails, poles, seats and doors.

Exercise additional procedures for all Busways employees to follow in order to limit any chance of the virus spreading. This includes issuing employees with hand sanitiser, requiring employees to wash their hands every time they enter and leave a worksite, employees staying home if they’re unwell, and minimising the handling of cash.

We are continuing to monitor the situation and appreciate schools providing information to students to assist in minimising the spread of the virus. Please remind students that they are still required tap on and off with their Opal card or show their School bus pass when boarding.

Current advice:If a student is experiencing flu-like symptoms, until they know what type of illness they have, they must stay home and avoid contact with other people. They should not board the bus. Students undergoing 14 days of mandatory isolation should also not board the bus.

This information may change at any time subject to Government decisions.

Parents should seek medical advice over the phone and follow all recommendations from their medical professional.

Please note these dates can change from time to time due to unforeseen circumstances and we will endeavour to advise you of any changes at the earliest possible opportunity. Our school Google calendar can be accessed via this link for additional advanced dates -